The Dharma Center offers practice programs and kalyana mitta (spiritual friends) groups that are open to those with particular affinities, such as specific age groups or identities.
The following programs are offered on the basis of dana, a practice of mutual generosity that has been alive since the time of the Buddha.
There is no fee for participating in these programs. (There are, however, fees for daylong retreats and classes—as well as ample scholarships.) We invite our practitioners to offer a donation in the baskets by the door to the meditation hall. You may also use our online donation system.
“We pay attention with respect and interest, so we may understand what is true. And seeing what is true, the heart becomes free.”
-Shunryu Suzuki
Regular Weekly and Monthly Groups
Monday Evening Sitting Meditation & Dharma Talk
Our Monday night sit is the Dharma Center’s most popular offering. After a short period of announcements, there is a 25- to 30-minute sitting meditation, followed by a dharma talk offered by a member of our Dharma Council or a guest speaker. This program is typically offered in person and online.
Time: Every Monday, 5:30 – 6:45 p.m.
Tuesday Morning Meditation
Join us for a peer-led silent sitting meditation from 7:00-8:00 a.m. every other Tuesday starting June 18. This sit is in-person only. No experience is necessary—you are very welcome to come meditate in silence with us. Just show up! This offering will run through September 17.
Time: Every Other Tuesday, 7:00 – 8:00 a.m.
Thursday Evening Sitting Meditation & Short Reading
Our Thursday night sit includes a 45-minute sitting meditation and, occasionally, a reading offered by a senior student. This program is typically quieter than the Monday night sit and is currently held in person only.
Time: Every Thursday, 5:30 – 6:15 p.m.
Sati Sundays
Sati is the word for mindfulness in Pali, the language of the Buddha. This Sunday morning program (held in person and online) includes a 45-minute sitting meditation, readings on Buddhist topics, and discussion. Katherine Barr, one of our community dharma elders, facilitates our Sati Sundays. She can be reached at or 970-769-3417 for any questions.
Time: Second and Fourth Sundays, 9:00 to 10:15 a.m. (Occasionally daylong or weekend retreats are held on Sundays instead of this offering. Please double-check our calendar.)
People of Color Sangha
The People of Color Sangha is a group at the Dharma Center that welcomes anyone identifying as a person of color to gather together in sangha. Sangha is the ancient Pali word for community—community connected by a shared intention to explore and deepen in the Buddhist-based practices of mindfulness, wisdom, and compassion. By practicing together and honoring our shared experience in a safe and welcoming space, we have the opportunity to cultivate this spiritual path and explore how these powerful teachings of the heart relate to our everyday lives and lived experience. This group’s meetings include a meditation and dharma discussion facilitated by Yong Oh. Our group is currently not meeting until further notice. Thank you.
Sitting with Peace: An Open Meditation Period
We invite meditators of all experience levels to participate in Sitting with Peace, an hour-long, peer-led open sit. The session provides the opportunity to deepen our practice by engaging with the suffering of our wounded world, and in so doing, expanding the refuge of community to all beings. The meditation will not be formally guided beyond the Buddha’s call to peace and compassion: “Hatreds never cease through hatred in this world; through love alone they cease. This is an eternal law” (from the Dhammapada). After the sit, there will be time for reflection and conversation for those interested. This program is offered in-person only. For further information, please contact Margi Buiso ().
Time: Every Friday, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Friday Silent Refuge
This peer-led offering provides an opportunity for a longer period of silent meditation similar to sessions that are often part of retreats. Once a month we will extend the Friday Sitting with Peace offering from the lunch hour to 12 – 3 PM. After the first hour of seated meditation, we will practice 20 minutes of walking meditation, 40 minutes of sitting, then another 20 minutes of walking and 40 minutes of sitting. Participants are welcome to drop in and practice in silent community for any portion. This offering is in person only.
Time: Second Friday of the month from 12:00 – 3:00 p.m
Morning Serenity
This program is designed for meditators who wish to practice in longer periods of silence. This small group does a sitting meditation for 30 minutes, walking meditation for 15 minutes, and sitting meditation for another 30 minutes. It is offered in person only.
Time: First and third Wednesdays of the month at 8:00 a.m. Please check the calendar for updates.
Spiritual Friends (Kalyana Mitta) Groups
The Buddha greatly emphasized the importance of spiritual friendship in supporting our spiritual development. In spiritual friends (kalyana mitta) groups, practitioners come together to study a particular topic or in support and friendship around common life experiences such as age groups or other identities. The groups offer a beautiful opportunity to practice more deeply together. The Dharma Center’s kalyana mitta groups are typically led by peer facilitators, and facilitators are mentored by a member of the Dharma Council.
Senior Generation Group (Sen Gen)
The Sen Gen group is open to all spiritual friends ages 60 years or older with an interest in learning and contributing to discussions about the “three heavenly messengers” of aging, illness, and death. Topics range from aging well to passing on legacies and planning for death with worst- and best-case scenarios. The safety and security of the group allows practitioners to contemplate these and other topics with clarity and depth. The group uses discussion, working in dyads/triads, and journaling. A dozen facilitators take turns organizing and moderating the sessions, and the group is mentored by Katherine Barr. For more information or to join the Sen Gen email list, please contact Nan Braum at or Ana Zeiler at You may join in person or online. Time: Second and Fourth Tuesdays of the month, 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. There are no meetings in August.
Middle Generation Group (Mid Gen)
All identifying as being in mid-life are invited to join the Mid Gen kalyana mitta group. The intention is to create a safe space to share authentically while deepening dharma practices, growing in trust among participants, and exploring relevant dharma teachings and the unique experiences of mid life. Mid Gen will meet every other week of the month through May 2024, alternating Tuesday at 5:30pm and Thursday at 6:30pm, following the sit. In June, July, and August 2024 we will meet once a month – please click on the calendar below to find specific meeting dates. Meetings will take place in the main meditation hall unless otherwise specified. We aspire to welcome all who are interested, build community, and make the space accessible for all. For more information or to join the Mid Gen email list, please contact
Next Generation Mindfulness Group (Next Gen)
Next Gen is a group for people in their 20s and 30s. All people who identify as being in a younger phase of adulthood are welcome, regardless of age. The group format currently includes a meditation and a discussion on a relevant Buddhist topic—and, occasionally, a potluck or a mindful hike. Please check the calendar for details. This group currently meets in person only. Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m. on select Tuesdays. Please click on the event calendar to check our upcoming meetings.
Mindfulness and Recovery Group
The Mindfulness & Recovery Group, hosted and supported by the Durango Dharma Center, is a peer-led community that acknowledges everyone can recover and find freedom from the suffering of addiction. Our meeting explores various Dharma practices such as mindfulness, kindness and wisdom as tools for recovery. We welcome anyone who is looking to heal from addiction or any addictive behavior as well as anyone who is affected by addiction in loved ones. We welcome those who struggle with substance use or process addictions such as codependency, gambling, eating disorders, relationships, technology, or any obsessive or habitual behavior. Many of our attendees belong to other recovery groups that are rooted in the 12 steps. While these other groups often encourage discussion about our stories and past experiences in some details, our group emphasizes current experience and insight. This meeting is not meant to be a substitute for any recovery program but rather a deeper support for those who are in recovery. This group is peer-led by a group of long-time students of the dharma and mentored by dharma teacher Dave Smith. Time: Sundays from 4:30-5:30 p.m. and Wednesdays from 12:00-1:00 p.m. If you have questions or would like to sign up for our email list, please reach out to Sylvia at .
